New Drug to Combat Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting

Highlights :

• Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects of chemotherapy
• New intravenous drug combination, AKYNZEO I.V. helps treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
• AKYNZEO I.V. is designed to reduce multiple antiemetic intakes and improve compliance

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has come up with a very effective drug combination to ward off chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting . The drug called AKYNZEO I.V. contains a fixed-dose combination of fosnetupitant (235mg) and palonosetron (0.25mg). This drug is released under an exclusive licensing agreement with Helsinn Biopharmaceutical established in Switzerland. Glenmark becomes the first company to launch the drug in India.

Cancer cases are estimated to rise by 12.5% by 2025. In 2020, there were a total of 13.9 lakh cases, as per National Cancer Registry data. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting are the most common and uncomfortable side effects that occur with chemotherapy medications. It occurs in about 40% of cancer patients (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Pathogenesis, Recommendations, and New Trends

Go to source). This side effect reduces the compliance of the chemotherapy drugs, thereby reducing their efficacy. They also cause complications like esophageal tears and electrolyte imbalances in the body, which are very difficult to manage (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Pathogenesis, Recommendations, and New Trends

Go to source).

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About AKYNZEO I.V

This specific combination is a potent antiemetic and it helps treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy medications (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Optimizing Prevention and Management

Go to source). AKYNZEO I.V. should be administered 30 mins before the chemotherapy cycle through an intravenous route after prescribed dilution. It prevents both the acute and delayed phases of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

"Chemotherapy is the most common form of cancer treatment, with nausea and vomiting being two of its most debilitating side effects. AKYNZEO I.V. is a convenient, single-dose, ready-to-dilute I.V. injection that covers, both, the acute and the delayed phases of CINV, thereby enabling patients to avoid multiple antiemetic drugs, and improving compliance." This statement was given by Alok Malik, EVP and business head, India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.

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How does AKYNZEO I.V. Drug Act?

This is a combination drug. There is a chemo-trigger zone in the brain that induces vomiting. Chemotherapy often stimulates this area in the brain, causing vomiting and nausea. AKYNZEO I.V. acts by inhibiting constant stimulation to this site, thus reducing the symptoms.

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What are the Potential Side Effects of this drug?

The noted side effects include indigestion, constipation, headache, fatigue, and red rash. No major side effects are reported (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Fosnetupitant/Palonosetron (Intravenous Route)

Go to source).

References:

1. Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Pathogenesis, Recommendations, and New Trends - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468294220301131)
2. Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Optimizing Prevention and Management - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4046471/)
3. Fosnetupitant/Palonosetron (Intravenous Route) - (https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/fosnetupitant-palonosetron-intravenous-route/description/drg-20425898)

Source-Medindia